Floored

 This will sound ridiculous, but I am stumped.  A new Shark vacuum that could suck the hair off my legs was purchased two weeks ago.  There is a bare floor setting for which the brush does not roll, another for carpet.  No silicone bands, no spray, no pet hair pickup, just a basic Nav 352 model.  Ever since, we can barely walk on the hardwood.  Nothing changed, there is no wax, no gloss, no new cleaners, and yet I have almost gone down several times as has husband.  We've had various brands of vacuums and electric brooms with never a change in footing.  Studied the bottom, nothing there to cause this and if it did, surely Shark would know about it.  So I cleaned the floor again today with just white vinegar after trying standard cleaners and no change.  This morning going one step down, I luckily managed to grab on to the door frame, otherwise, my back would have landed on the edge of that step.  Don't use the vacuum again?  We haven't!  But I can't remove the slick!

Anyway, bad eye days so not much done but even so, this will be a beauty.  I can't wait to move on to the flowers and complete this page.  I never stitched page to page, but have done so with a few recent samplers.  Rachel is not as large as others but I plan to follow this method for her.

I am so glad this wooden tray table fell over in the closet a while back.  Perfect for my clutter and accessories, the rim holds everything from falling off, and I can pull it close to work or quickly push away when the coffee says it's time to run.  

I feel a little foolish about the Needlework Expo currently in progress.  With all the hype I thought we would be able to view the new charts and then order at a shop. Where?  I saw a few sneaks, no name to the charts, how could I pre-order if not shown?  Designers were announcing new releases for the expo, but I saw very few on their posts. 

There was a large spider between the glass and screen, by the time I tried to catch a photo (because some man doesn't believe their size, ever) and it's now gone.  Great.  That window will never be opened again.

Hot baby!!  Flowers are wilting even with water, it's too bad summer waited to appear in its last few days.

Be safe.

************************

Limbo

Not the dance move.

Trying to find a reliable PCP.  

For those of you that asked about the fabrics, here are the last five.  I have Ale and Country Mocha (please don't be pinky) and another I can't remember coming soon.

This page on my tablet is much more yellow and vivid than viewing on my laptop.  

Cappuccino is the one with all the green.  A larger piece of 36 is coming, we'll see if it has as much.  Still can't understand that color relating to the name, maybe my first piece is an odd ball.

Have a good weekend.

*********************

A few more

 We were at an Amish stand when a sobbing woman was overheard talking on her phone.  I was stunned.  We went to the car and turned on the radio.  A CBS station reported that people had the opportunity to leave Afghanistan if they had wanted.  Nothing more, nothing about a young father killed on vacation, but there was a story about a tortoise that ate a bird.  That woman obviously heard incorrectly.  No, she did not.  The real news stations confirmed why she was so upset.  

I do not like the Hogbristle in 36, love it in 40, do not like the cream color of Eureka.  Will either exchange or sell.

And I realized under artificial light that the green is prominent throughout the Cappuccino.  My drinks are never green.  I may try to cancel the week old order that has not shipped yet if all in this color have green disbursed throughout.  Do they?  Red blends green to brown but since the background has a pinkish tone I cannot dip to correct without the entire piece becoming quite pink. 

The peacock is on his way to Canada, please let me know if you do not receive it.

******************

Two of eight

 Hiya.  This is the only linen order that has arrived, thought I would show you the difference in these two.  I still wish the sellers would stack about five together so we can judge shade.  One other shipped, another will tomorrow, and an Etsy order with 25% off most linens has not yet.  If you want to check colors in that sale, here ya go.....

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FabricxThreads?ref=shop_sugg&section_id=33945234 .

The Milk and Honey is more yellowish, the Cappuccino more neutral, slightly pinkish.  

But I need to put a piece of tape over this green blob on the Cappuccino so I remember to stitch on the other side.  Can't figure that out since it's not a yellowish linen. 

I though FOAW had more mottling as PTP does.  Very subtle, very nice.  Except for the green.  And quite crumpled compared to others so I will press before stitching.  I tried to change one that looked more neutral on my ordering site after another site showed it light yellow, but it was too late.  We'll see which in a few days!

Half of the tree grew back and all is well.

Have a good day.

********************

Who gets the bird?

 Rose Heck!  Please email me with your address.  

Thanks to all for participating!

***************

Some doctors

 look beyond the condition, and are willing to offer patients an option.  No guarantees, but also no lingering question if something more could have been done.  Carole was wild eyed yesterday as during the delirium episodes, but the virtual visit with this hope-giving doctor went well.  He is willing to try to save one of her legs.  Puzzling, since other highly respected doctors would not.  So Pittsburgh will be the new trip for two surgeries and we've heard good things about Passavant.  We. are. grateful.  Once the pacemaker is replaced next week, we will be on track for a resolution to these last six months.  The amputation of the left and possibility of not surviving the surgery with her failing heart, was the same opinion as others.

I haven't been feeling well, and just sat quietly, no hissy fits, and took my time with the Lift 'n Snips to remove the tree.  Close call on a few linen threads but since I've rewoven broken strands before, it's no longer a fear.  Just taking a thread from the edge of the linen and following the up and down of the broken one doesn't take long at all.  I am anxious to see my new linen but two orders have not even shipped yet.  Old Navy (thank you for tall size) comfort clothes coming today, always a treat.

You can see why fudging would not have worked with the trees.  WAY too much re-charting.  So I will continue tonight, if I can concentrate.  My CA cousin in a wheelchair because of a massive stroke following surgery, had a heart attack last night, still waiting for update.  She spent every fall with us in PA to see the colors and we had such a good time.  But not since the paralysis.  My cousin here has had driving privileges revoked because of her dementia.  Honestly, to speak with her, you wouldn't recognize her condition.  Many times if not living with the person, you don't know if what they are saying is delusion or fact.

Be back tonight with the winner.  As I look at my first finish on 28 count, I am hankering to stitch again with different colors.  Very surprised at the low number of entries.  Since this last change with the blogger format, I don't know if the number of a little over a hundred is the actual reader count.  Before, it was over a thousand so I don't know if it's accurate, nor do I know how to find out.

Later!

******************

What the hell?

 Who moved the tree?  And how many threads could an old lady count if an old lady could count threads?  Too many.   I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Good grief I did it several times and the number to the trunk position doesn't make sense.  So do I bulldoze the tree, or start over at the other end, or set the chart aside, or choose something simple and come back to it later? 

I'm going to bed.

*********************

Peacock Spot

 oldie from Ewe & Eye & Friends.  I've stitched several times, and if I choose to again can work off my finished piece.  It's a sweet, simple, and quick sampler and I've changed to a single alphabet color and brightened the birds on a few.  Very versatile!  Have fun with it.

If you want this chart, comment on this post with initials or name or email for contact.  If you can't, send your entry by email, samplersandsantas@gmail.com.  Since peacocks are proud birds, tell us what you are proud of (grandkids and family don't count) personally.  Or not!

This is what this giant was like two months ago during a hissy fit, not sure yesterday's destruction has time to rebound but I have others and since summer is fricking over, does it matter?  

Page one finished except for the flowers so I need to decide colors this evening.  

Good day folks.

Will have Random pull a name Tuesday at 8pm.

***************

The light

 Hi folks.  No rain yesterday!  The garden is gone, the nights have been very cool for some time, the days are shorter, one week until September.  I haven't slept well in months, thoughts of waking up without legs, waiting for the phone to ring mid-night, wondering why this has been going on for six months  Only a fraction of what she is feeling daily, not wanting to accept how compromised her health is. I'm now sitting alone on my swing (with a jacket) which never happened without Bud next to me.  Daily thoughts of a fellow blogger and stitcher, far too young for hospice, also a part of my restless days.  Some days, I just don't know how to release it.

So I destroyed another petunia.

As I saw Brenda's IG post from The Attic, I decided I need to treat myself and placed three orders for seven linen colors that I will bitch about.  I will just sell if not to my liking.  Or how about accept?  I have one wall sampler whose linen color I detest but thought at the time it was perfect.  Some colors that alone are objectionable, can become the perfect background for that sampler.  I must try to envision completion when deciding on a fabric.  OK.  Sure.

The first lamp came, not going to work.  Only $40 on Amazon but I didn't realize that the bright light is visible around the entire piece and my eyes can't take it.  I can't have a chandelier on in a room because the bulb level is not far enough above eye level.   Another reason I am so ticked to be this tall. This lamp is of course even lower, couldn't walk into the room with it on.

The other issue is the height.  I can flex it to be low and in front of my work, but that's quite a stretch.  Very good looking and 1.50x magnification with a glass lens, or adjustable lighting for any task.  But not for my eyes. 

Brightech Lightview with remote

The second one which I believe is shorter will be here next week.  It can be shortened even further as a floor lamp or removed to a table base.  We'll see.  

I think it's time to send something from me to you.  If my thoughts settle, maybe tomorrow.

Mark is driving Carole's friend and myself for a visit this afternoon,  He will sit on the porch with Sudoku and I will take in the view to give her lifelong friend some privacy to yak.  Monday is the virtual with the third surgeon for an answer to the right leg, but after four weeks, his office said they haven't received the requested angiogram CDs for review.  More wait time.  Pacemaker replacement is here on Sept 1.

Enjoy your day.  Cherish the bad with the good.

It's all we've got!  And most times, much more than others.

************************

Trees!

 

One of the elements that I love about this sampler.  Not as confusing to follow as I thought once I studied the chart.  Every other vertical row is solid flanked by the same color on every other vertical stitch.  I started horizontal and had a hard time as usual so decided to use a marker, which showed the easier vertical pattern to follow.

The right side is much easier with more contrast in colors, but still the same vertical method is less counting.

The pacemaker surgeon and also the vascular surgeon offices were to call Wednesday with appointments, but did not.  So today, Friday, I will call again.  The Medicaid office called early and another extremely pleasant worker explained the process and said there should not be a problem, and it may be resolved before the hearing.  She is the only one working today, the woman I spoke with a few days ago was off, I am glad they have the integrity to do their job and that of their entitled co-workers.  

I ordered linen including some 40 count, trying PTP Ale and hope I like it.  I also have two Brightech smaller floor mag lights coming.   Because of my sensitivity to light, I think a flexible gooseneck can be positioned lower than my Dazor and LED is not as irritating as fluorescent.  If I pull the Dazor lower than eye level, I can't seem to twist the lighted end into a comfortable viewing position.

Have a good day!  

I plan to hopefully enjoy warm sun today while sitting on my butt outside.

****************

Green

 Two of them are completed from page one, moving on to the trees.  I will decide on the colors in the floral border later.  

Not much green here.  Days and days of sudden rains and now all day rains.  Very cool nights, we had no summer.  And it's over.  No landscaping, no workers.  Dollar General is closing at 5pm because ... no workers.  I waited forever in line for a store pickup at JCP, no workers.  

I finally spoke with a very pleasant employee about the Medicaid denial.  She said it's routine.  To discourage application?  She said it will be a long time before approval because there should be the standard four workers in this department, and there was one for a long time, and now only she and one other.  Why?  Because just as with federal jobs, you can't be fired and really don't need to show up.  She has 42 cases, ordinarily 12 - 15.  So I have to file an appeal and have a hearing, they have 93 days to respond.  My question .... why deny applicants that are obvious approvals which creates a backlog and double work?  Oh wait, it's government.  I plan to express my gratitude that this employee is doing a great job.

Trying to create solutions for the difficulties of being bedridden has become a satisfying task.  I have a pink cushioned pouch (for laptop) and after purchasing a few adult coloring books and new pen set, thought this would be a perfect size to store it all for Carole.  It's a challenge to get containers and baskets sized to hold her essentials that are easily accessible.  As I picked up my stitching, there it was.  A large ring fit nicely on the zipper clasp and the grabber can pull the pouch from the bookcase. We're tried so many grabber tools, and this one by Jellas (got the two pack on Amazon) is great.  Non slip grip, and a rounded center for bottles.  But Covid lockdown will prevent us from getting it there.  She is negative but not right, seeing spots, and mixing words again.  They are so busy with testing all residents (the case is in a different building but they take no chances), am sure they will keep an eye on her this evening.

Hope you have sun.

Wish we did.

*************************

Sunday

Two new linens, Seraphim Antique Lace and Stephanie's Toasted Almond.  I switched Rachel to Winter Brew and back.  If I need to use white in place of the lightest thread, fine.  But I don't want her on a linen with much color so she's staying where she is.

Here's that petunia that was the victim of my wrath.  This is a large laundry tub and it's overflowing.

And another that I destroyed 9 days ago.

And a few other flowers .

Why is Facebook now "suggesting for me" entertainment site posts for every two stitching posts?  Do they think I give a bird's beak about what these people think?  With all the 10 bedroom homes and several vacation compounds, why not open your doors and shelter these homeless instead of preaching?  You have the resources, the space, the money, everything they need.  So open your homes.  Or shut your mouth.  Done.

Here is the winner of Fancy, back in 2014!  I have not recovered the chart but being such a simple design, I just recreated onto graph paper following my largest finish on Davos.

https://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com/2014/06/winner_27.html

Going back to the nursing home this afternoon, told her I am not going to be visiting several times a week any longer.  I have two weeks left to summer and I need a break before the surgeries and recovery.  Between phone calls, and paperwork, and getting things for her whether at her home or requiring purchase, and the hour long trips every other day, no longer renewing my ticket for the guilt trip.  I know how it would be if our positions were reversed.  You don't base your actions on what others would do, you do what you feel is right.  I have and will continue, do not need someone to make me feel it should be even more.

August 15th.

Son on a bitch.

**********************

That disappearing act

 Again.  I've always loved this cat pillow and have stitched quite a few in various cat colors.  Stitches from the Heartland chart from 1984.  This smaller one was made for a giveaway and I was surprised at the low number of entries since I love this. The last cat was on a higher count and really small, I must have given it away also.  This large original and another in gray are on 18 -20 count.  I think it was called Basic Cloth by Back Street from decades ago, beautiful texture, but I do like the reduced size of higher counts.

Another frustrating day dealing with a doctor's office staff, for an expensive, uncomfortable, unnecessary transport.  You wouldn't believe it if I told you, and I won't.  I wanted a familiar, easy, mindless stitch that evening but instead had a tantrum about not finding the chart so I picked up Rachel as she tried to ignore the obscenities.  

My Rachel border has had two florals removed because of the color not showing, so I'm moving on to the greenery while I decide on a change.  Now starting over again because the 934 and 520 are similar, and I used the wrong one for the stems and leaves.  The charted 3047 doesn't work, and this Ecru isn't either (as you can't see). I'll probably continue with the correct green and work on the trees and alpha for now.   Maybe start fresh on a darker linen?  

There is a tiny one room schoolhouse turned shop that is closing across from the facility, so we stopped in.  Bought a newer crock in a small size, glass ornament, antique cobbler shoe form, and this tiny hinged box with glass, all for less than $10 (50% off until closed). I can stitch something for this, would make a nice gift.  She has loads of doilies and linens, various cups and dishes of china patterns, most vintage.  Not my thing, but a sweet little shop.

Happy Saturday half way through August.

Source of increased crabassiness.

And a hidden Cat chart.

**************************

Iron spittle

 For the first time, my iron spit up.  On my new Winter Brew!  The fold crease does not want to go away, and I guess the hot plate didn't like sitting in the same spot for that long and spit at me.  R&R is not washable, and I've never had a problem before, but that one fat drop landed and it was too late.  The dye ran to edge and left a ring, the other drop removed the color without leaving a ring.

I used a damp terry cloth and gently tied to blend it but once that dye ring is there, any additional moisture could create a larger ring.  I wasn't too concerned about the lighter spot but wanted to break the outline of the ring, and it seemed to do that.

Being in the middle of the fabric, it would most likely be covered by enough stitching and not be noticed at all.  I wondered if the eraser on a Frixion pen would work, or any eraser.  Gently, I followed the weave just enough to soften and blend.  That seemed to help.  Some fuzzies were pilling slightly but really not hurting the linen at all.  So I also tried this on the crease which is lighter and a straight line.  Usually I will pat a tiny bit of Ranger ink from a pad to break up that line but I don't have a color this light.  The eraser trick worked just enough to break that line in a few spots.

Several online sites instruct to never store hand dyed linens in plastic bags because of possible chemical reactions.  Mine are but are not sealed and have a sachet inside.  I'm still airing this piece and used the lavender freshener again. 

If you are interested in the excellent facility I talk about, click on any of their listed communities/services and see a short video.  The skilled is The Villas with several sections, and where she is.  In the Colony video, you can see the wood working shop, the sewing room, and craft room in the activity building offered to those that want to continue their hobbies after downsizing. The memory unit is separate, secure, and all private rooms. Plus they offer guest accommodations for family visiting from out of town and would like to stay.  As we were leaving today, pork with a special sauce, sweet potatoes, and apple strudel were on her tray.  Carole is an excellent cook and has raved about their food from day one, even though sodium restricted. 

https://www.stpauls1867.org/services

I'm going to be making zucchini breads for freezing, not many, garden was a disaster this year.  A few basic and a few lemon, no Death by Chocolate this year.

Have a good day tomorrow.

**************

Tiny but mighty

 Good mail day, more to come.  I'm glad I ordered Fraktur Friends, even if I never stitch it.  What is it about having a loved design in hand to read, study, and then store?  The need to add some projects to our stash with no intention of ever stitching is not much different than collecting recipes we know we'll never prepare.  But after seeing this chart in person, I would love to attempt it.  The BBD book was much smaller than expected, four of the six berries will be stitched.

This Winter Brew has more color that previous pieces, very nice.  This is the first time the variations were diagonal which will add interest to the entire width, not just limited areas.  I like it.  But the odor was never experienced before.  Wow.  I usually choke when any type of air freshener is sprayed, maybe my dryness promotes irritation from such items.  

Carole asked me for a room spray and she loves lavender so I purchased plain and Mediterranean, both wonderful and light.  Wood is not Patchouli but similar.  I of course tried them here first and ... no choking!  So I've been happily spraying the kitchen after cooking and also spritzed over the linen.  A light mist settled from above so as not to wet the fabric, but enough to rid the odd scent.  

And about the tiny.  We took turns sealing the deck in this heat (yay!) and on my break, I sipped iced coffee while enjoying a swing. The lid is quite tight and holds the straw perfectly upright.  The third time I indulged, I thought a piece of glass was in my purchased drink.  What pain!  I removed the source from my mouth and realized my ever burning and fissured tongue was stung.  Holy bee butt.  Not on my arm or leg like most, but my most vulnerable and painful area! Tiny little thing, now deceased, not sure what it was but it got me as soon as it entered my mouth on my tongue's edge, the most painful part.  Who would think a little bastard would enter your drink through a straw?  Damn skippy.  

Nursing home tomorrow afternoon.  We took her friend over the weekend who visits others in three local facilities and she was floored.  She said this is a fancy hotel!  Could not believe the ingenious floor plans, decor, cleanliness, amount of outdoor areas. the semi private rooms separated by interior wall so you never see your roommate, windows in your room that open for air, and each resident has their own room temperature controls.  She is telling her friends to ask for transfers there.

Stopped at the cardio office with letters and test info this morning, have not heard anything, hopefully tomorrow.

I just found a boatload of comment emails that blogger sent to my spam folder.  I think it may be all of them for the last few months, don't know why, never ended up there before.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

*****************

On edge

 Selvage edge that is.  I am too tired, too lazy, and too ornery to dance with Google so I come to you with a query.  I knew the answer at some point but it escaped to make room for usable excuses that I can blame on aging.

This PTP piece sized at 17 x 28 has the selvage on the side (28") not the 17" top.  I'm having a hard time visualizing how that cut is made.  Usually not something I pay attention to, but I thought that edge is on top of most projects.  Why am I questioning?  My stitches are fat.  They just seem wider than they are taller (I'm both).  Is this my imagination or does it make a difference?  36 threads to the inch should be either direction, no?  If it was, I doubt I would notice stitches appearing to be wider.  So tell me please, does it matter?  

Today, on this black chair, a fat hairy black spider camouflaged himself.  So difficult to find once I jumped up so this chair will never be sat on again.

Lots of phone calls and errands tomorrow.  None of my orders shipped since it was the weekend but I am really anxious to get them.  Am I going to attempt Fraktur Friends?  Maybe one day.  I still remember Carol's finish on Camofudge.  

Hope Monday is good - one week closer to Fall.

AUGH!!!!!!!!

************************

FOUND!!

 Strange strange strange.  Rachel Hyde is from 1995 and although my memory function is far from good, I thought there was a reprint offered by the designer.  It was at one time, in the folder with the original, and then disappeared over the years like my hair and tight jawline.  Did I imagine it?  Was it for a different design?  For two days I tore apart everything related to samplers leaving no folder, pouch, box, envelope unexamined.  So it must not have been Rachel or I certainly would have it.  This morning, I picked up the stack of chart papers to continue coloring, and it felt thick.  OMG.  Loose pages at the back of the stack were the reprint.  How?  I have been flipping those pages, coloring, reading, bitching, THEY WERE NOT THERE.  And especially being loose, not even stapled, they would have been seen.  Stunned me like the yellow jacket that sent husband to hospital years ago, as I mistakenly told the nurse he was in prophylactic shock.  She fell off her chair.  No dipstick.  Prophylactic is a condom.  The allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.  Anyway .... this reprint is much much easier to see and I will continue on 36 count.  Why cause myself more aggravation dealing with wonky stitches on 28?  I ordered Seraphim Antique Lace and Fabric by Stephanie's Toasted Almond.  I was going to add Old Stationary but found one site comparing it to 840/842 which are too pink for me.  Fingers crossed.

And in another unexpected turn in the Saga of Carole, we were notified her pacemaker model (100% dependent because of an unnecessary AV node ablation) can quickly deplete battery even with up to three years remaining.  She has less than two.  So she needs to have the entire pacemaker replaced ASAP and we were told it would be a month before an appt in office and then they will schedule.  Hey.  Dickweed.  Listen up.  That fricking device is the only thing causing her heart to beat.  It doesn't matter what the hell you see in office after another stretcher transport in an ambulance, it MUST be changed according to the manufacturer.  Now.  No need to see her, schedule it, admit to hospital, do it.

Have a good weekend.

**********************

Rachel

Hello hello hello!  Going to be warm the next few days, finally summer weather in it's last month.

I switched to 28 count and can't figure out why it's not comfortable.  That was the only count I worked on for many many years before moving to 30.  Not sure, but from my searching I don't believe R&R or PTP (my preferred linens) offer a 30 and since I seem to be spinning my wheels, giving up.  Will continue more this evening, but my tension issue is quite apparent and wonky uneven threads are slowing me down.  I'm using the secure needle method even though I prefer the loop, you would think the threads would lie even.  They certainly appear to be with the needle perfectly centered but once through the fabric destroys that illusion.  If it continues this evening, I have my PTP 36 waiting.  But only if I can work out a way to more easily read this chart.  We're not off to a good start folks!!

Trying to read this entire chart, even though very large and detailed, is proving to be a looming reason to stop.  Some symbols are easy, others seem faint and not centered, with the right side of them into the line of the graph.  This one took a long time for me to realize it must be the 502 symbol which is slanted with a curled leg in the code, but not in the chart.  You can see the graph is not a single line, but patterned.  This may not affect most, but certainly is me.  The alphabet is easy, all the same for each letter.

 

Coloring often helps a great deal but since there are too many shades of browns and greens to distinguish with a pencil, not this time.  So I should scan the page and stitch from a screen?  One that goes black every 15 minutes to save energy?  Should I keep the window open so it doesn't break when I launch it out?

Ordered a few more charts and a piece of Winter Brew.  Fraktur Friends from Shakespeares Peddler and BBD's The Rarest Flower.  So many BBD charts, old and new, are being shown that I have not seen, and although samplers and santas are my usual projects, doesn't hurt to try a few that pique my interest.  I adore this little design.  

All the fabrics shown on floss tube look perfect but I know it's not true and any time I can get Winter Brew, I do.  Seraphim and others are quite expensive for me to mess with and I really hate to take a chance.  Antique Lace looked gorgeous in a video and the thumbnail online looks grayish white.  Drives you nuts doesn't it?  I think showing several colors together would help those of us shopless, yellows greens and pinks would be noticeable compared to each other or even white.  When looking for paint samples, I always take a white sheet of paper, really helps show the cast.

The facility advised me to not hire an attorney since all the necessary documents were already turned in with the application and she has no financials except for one checking account.  They said not to be concerned, this is commonplace for PA to question deposits of some applicants for $45 and $52.85 even with limited income.  

Ferns are as always, gorgeous.  The others are even larger so I had to separate since their size did not allow room for all.

That's Nitzy, reminding me of Bud and how much I miss him on my swing.  I never sat alone, the minute he heard my large behind rattle those chains, he was there.

Chocolate zucchini bundt in oven along with the ???? zucchini with egg and Bisquick and onion and Parmesan and stuff.  Both baking at the same time and when I turned to clean the dishes, saw 3 cups of shredded zucchini and wondered why.  I quickly removed the dish from the oven and added the main ingredient.  How could I forget the zucchini?

Enjoy your day!

*************************

Deck the Halls

 It's coming so fast.  Once again, we have to wait four weeks for an answer on the right leg, that will be September.  Holy moly.  That is just so mind blowing to me.  When someone mentions 2020, it seems like that year was more a of a dream (nightmare), and now 2021 will be also with a stress fog thrown in.  In the few minutes I had last night before conking out, I saw a post featuring Deck the Halls berries from BBD.  I don't remember ever seeing them, ordered right away.  Normally do not purchase books but all six designs will probably be stitched.  

This latest doctor in Pittsburgh was another kind and wonderful professional.  My sister said it's remarkable that someone so intelligent can be that good looking.   On the way past hundreds of various stores and businesses (we have nothing here), we stopped at Whole Foods.  Obviously not a store for those without healthy incomes, but we stocked up on the brioche cream cheese braid.  Carole's friend is taking it up today, along with the twin comforter and blanket that I needed to shorten yesterday between multiple phone calls with long hold times, bank visits, and hoping everything requested will be sent to the appropriate destination.

Then I worked on the deck, getting ready to seal, and found that the burgundy scrubbing pad was phenomenal in removing a great deal of dirt and old products even after a stiff brush scrubbing with TSP and a little bleach.  Because of removing the boards for the sewer project, there were some spots that were lighter from sanding splinters and thinking this rough pad would blend them, found out it's fantastic for cleaning. 

Holy moly part 2.  Ended up doing the entire deck again by wetting, allowing the water to sit a little, and then using my foot to scrub with this pad.  Amazing how filthy the water was, also removed most of the old stain/sealer, but didn't sand.  All of these boards are wet, you can see the huge difference in what he scrubbed with cleaners a week ago and just using the pad.

Two days of flare ups with my eyes, last night was the first chance to stitch.  Still trying linens, thirty count does not have as many options, so this double thread on 32 may be the choice.  But it's almost like .... pulling the linen or puckering slightly.  It's more difficult for me to stitch without entering the wrong hole than other counts.  I like the thickness and raised thread texture for this sampler, but 28 doesn't offer enough, haven't found a pleasing color in stock for 30, probably end up with 36 if the puckering continues.  I may try 40 for a tighter stitch, but here's the thing.  If I'm putting all this work into a project, I want it big and the higher the count the smaller the finish.  We'll see.  I do know that this light yellow will be changed, and I want a coral or apricot somewhere in this.  

Have a good day folks.  I've been four evenings and mornings with sweat pants and jacket, finally warming up now that summer is closing soon.  Dammit.

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Never before

 Sweet potato vines and their wandering lime green leaves are always chosen to mix with flowers each summer.  This is the first year they are not a few sparse and very long individual vines, instead, a very thick and vigorous plant with half the length.  As I watered yesterday, look what I found!  The first ever flower and it's beautiful.  Only one, but what a surprise.  

And this is the Vista Paradise petunia that I slaughtered and left with only thick center branches and less that ten leaves.  Confession time ... my claim was that I cut it back.  In fact, I had a hissy fit and attacked it.  The greenhouse had not properly trimmed to become a full plant and the center branches were so heavy and brittle that they snapped whenever I gently moved to check for slugs.  That did it.  So I grabbed those aggravating stems and continued tearing them off.  It was that, or throw the laptop out the window.  Some days, my patience and temper get the better of me, and the worse of whatever is causing the break.  And this plant showed me it is more resilient than I am.  The absolute thickest ever, with hundreds of pliable stems sprouting from those stiff buggers left behind.

(Ignore the mud, landscaper can't get enough people to work so it will be awhile.)

Taking Carole some fresh blueberries and a few rolls from spitini, a family favorite from my Aunt Kay.  I am hoping the attorney can expedite this hearing before the facility takes action for payment, already over $25,000.

Installing a motion light on the ceiling of her porch and motion LED spots on the garage corner this afternoon.  Direct wire ceiling mount are not common at all, and this is what we found.  The spot type we mounted there can't detect coming and going from the entry, only one direction, and this one from Lowe's will.  Or should.  I don't like four 25 watt chandelier bulbs but not much choice.  Preparing for caregivers coming and going in case we can get in home care after this nightmare is over.

I have a dilemma with Rachel.  Do I want to use single thread on 36 or double on 30?  I have no 30 large enough so would need to order.  Double thread would be more texture in the flowers and trees (to me anyway) so I should test a motif on a piece of 30 first, because I could be wrong.  Shhh.

Have a good day.

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